Young D-backs pitchers are learning how to be big leaguers

Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs are two of the D-backs’ more
well known prospects, a pair of pitchers many think will
reach the big league level sometime this season.

Neither Bauer, 21, nor Skaggs, 20, are expected to begin
the
season with the Diamondbacks, but that doesn’t mean they
can’t learn something while they’re with them this spring.

“What we aim to do here is put them in a position to learn
a
lot, to improve a lot, have a better understanding of what
it’s going to take for them to be a big leaguer and come
up
here and stay and contribute,” Diamondbacks manager Kirk
Gibson said. “And have a huge impact on what we do.”

That means seeing what guys like Ian Kennedy, Daniel
Hudson, Trevor Cahill and Joe Saunders do on a day-to-day
basis, soaking up as much knowledge as they can in the
process. After all, the youngsters have plenty of ability,
so for them it’s not so much about learning how to pitch,
but how to pitch against major league hitters.

“Exposure to your big league staff, facing big league
hitters, having to use all your pitches,” Diamondbacks GM
Kevin Towers said of what they can gain. “You know,
they’re probably going to be facing a higher caliber of
hitter than they’ve ever faced in college or the lower
minor leagues, so it will help prepare them for when they
get that opportunity — if not this year — next year or
the near future.”

As of now the Diamondbacks starting rotation seems set,
though there’s always a chance for injuries,
ineffectiveness or simply room to give a top prospect a
look. So, while both Bauer and Skaggs are supposed to be
learning for the future, there’s a strong possibility the
future is just around the corner.

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